Baby Tracker

Thursday, October 30, 2014

Carsyn's first birthday party was this past Sunday (10/26) as well as her 1 year photo shoot and cake smash! This made for a very busy day, not to mention a packed weekend preparing for her ladybug themed party! I actually put together her invitation (below) almost a year ago. Yeah I know, started planning REALLY early! I didn't research ideas for the rest of her party until about 2 months before her birthday (a little more reasonable). I Googled tons of ideas and saved it to pinterest. I decided to skip the arts n crafts this year and went for a smaller low key party which was much more relaxing for everyone, especially the birthday girl. I was thrilled with how everything turned out, especially the smash cake. ;)

As our guests entered they were greeted with the favor table. Each gift bag contained a window walking ladybug, ladybug stickers and tattoos and a ladybug eraser. As you walked into the living room there were balloons on the floor for the kids to play with, another table with party hats and one with the coloring pages. The antenna's were left over from Ryland's 1st birthday and fit with the ladybug theme! On one wall was Carsyn's ladybug collage which displayed her monthly pictures. The fireplace was a homage to her professional pictures (NB/3/6/9m, 12m was taken that morning).

blowouts and giftbags

goodie bag items - my fav was the window walker ladybug ;)

found the coloring sheets online

Ladybug collage, made with construction paper. Got the idea from her daycare and copied it from memory.

As you worked your way into the kitchen you came upon the cakes and food. My favorite was the ladybug smash cake. I researched online many different ways on how to make one and finally settled on my own version, which turned out cute as a button! I based all the food on red/black/white colors and anything that could look like a ladybug. We also hung black and red pom poms from the ceiling in the breakfast nook.

I found Carsyn's shirt on esty and the skirt underneath was actually a ladybug costume. The bow I found at Walmart and her shoes are from Target. Too cute once all put together!

Birthday girl!

mommy and me

The timing couldn't have been better for her party. Thankfully she napped for an hour before guests arrived (probably worn out from her 1 yr photos at 9am that morning). For the most part Car-Car was a happy camper and only cried once or twice. She loved her cake, especially the oreo eyes. I think we had roughly 13 adults and 13 kids attend the party.

Ry - little/big brother ;)

Opa and Juju

Where's my food?!?!

It's my party and I'll cry if I want to...

jump jump jump

coloring is always a hit

daddy and me

Here comes the cake!

Happy Birthday to you...don't touch the flame!

nom nom nom

I'm done and want out!

We opened gifts at the very end and all the kids 'helped' Carsy open them. She receiving tons of clothes and some cool toys. I think her favorite was the grocery cart.

A big Thank You to everyone who came over to celebrate Carsyn's birthday with us!

1st Birthday Ladybug Party cups/plates/napkins/utensils/table runners/banner/pom poms/table decor - Party City (stuff sold online, luckily someone has just returned their extras to the store and I quickly snatched them up!)

OMG our little lady is a toddler! She's been walking since she was 10 months old, climbs stairs like a BOSS (though coming down is a bit of a challenge) and travels the house and grounds like she owns it! She knows exactly want she wants and will point to things and grunt (uh!). Sometimes it sounds like she is saying 'mama' but I'm not sure if that is just baby babble or really talking. She's even figured out that food is stored in the pantry and fridge, and when she's hungry she will get into them (if open) and try to get out the food she wants. Usually this consists of cheese, fruit or apple sauce pouches. She's actually a hearty eater, loves her veggies and meats...but if you put mac n cheese in front of her that's it, everything else is ignored. When she's full she will throw food on the floor to clear her tray.

eating mac n cheese, nom nom nom - 10/14

Carsyn weighed 20 lbs and 4 oz (40%), was 29" in long (50%) with a head circumference of 46.7 cm (80%) at her 12 month checkup. She didn't get her shots because she had some red spots on her legs and the Dr wasn't sure if she was coming down with chicken pox (most likely they were ant bites), so she goes back in a week for her shots. Other than ant bites the Dr said she looks great. One nice thing is we are finally done with formula and bottles! YAY! Now that she's a year old we can transition to whole milk. We've been testing her out on milk for the past month and it's gone really well, plus she's been using sippy cups for a couple months now, time to chuck the bottles! Carsy still only has 2 bottom teeth!! I keeping singing to her "All I want for Christmas is my 2 top teeth!"...or all of them for that matter. ;) At least it's a quick and easy process for us to brush her teeth. Also she now has enough hair to put hair bows and clips on her head without a headband!

feeding herself - 10/5

Car-Car is all about mommy. She doesn't like it when I leave a room without her. If she happens to be walking around and sees me, she'll come over and grab my leg and look up at me expectantly. If I don't pick her up she sounds the alarm! Once she's in my arms she's a happy little camper. She also loves being outdoors. Carsy is constantly pointing at the windows, letting us know she wants to go outside. She loves exploring and tries to crawl up the slide on our playscape and likes to swing in the swing with mommy or daddy. When Ry jumps on his motorcycle, Carsy wants to travel right along with him in her stroller. This makes for hours of entertainment for these two, and lots of walking for mom and dad.

loves it outside, on playscape at school - 10/6

Carsy is now part time at daycare. Two times a week she goes to Opa and Juju's house with Ry. I'm sure the grandparents will discover tons of new things with Car-Car around, in fact they discovered the other day that she will wave to you if you wave at her. They have a tiny kids recliner at their house which Carsy will crawl into, turn around and sit looking at you intently. If you wave to her she waves back! Then she will slowly scoot out of the chair, landing firmly on her feet and she's off again. Carsy will also give open mouth/tongue out kisses every once in a while. "Slimy yet satisfying." ;) (The Lion King)

Sat morning cartoons 10/5

Adorable - 10/7/2014

Halloween is just around the corner, this happens to be mommy's favorite holiday! We throw a big Halloween party and every chance I get the kids are in Halloween clothes as evident below. :)

Best pumpkins in the patch!

One year ago (10/28) our daughter Carsyn entered the world and changed our lives. She's a curious, intelligent, loving, sweet, delightful little girl with an adorable laugh. We love you so very much! Happy 1st Birthday Carsyn!

We put together a ladybug themed party for Carsy the weekend before her birthday, which will be my next post. I still can't believe how quickly this year flew by, and now our gorgeous girl is heading into year 2! Below are some pictures of her eating cake on her birthday. <3

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About Me

I have a 6 year old son and 3.5 year old daughter, two wonderful step-kids and two crazy doggies. I am very fortunate to have a wonderful, loving, supportive family (immediate and extended) and a great group of friends here in Texas. I love anything that involves food (especially wine and cheese), Halloween, sports (volleyball / running), roller coasters, dancing (especially country) and generally being outside. Loving life in ATX!

Quotes

With a baby comes a whole new world of responsibility, a whole new take on wonder, and a whole new meaning of love. After all, "a baby will make love stronger, days shorter, nights longer, bankroll smaller, home happier, clothes shabbier, the past forgotten, and the future worth living for." (Author Unknown)